Reno Evening Gazette, June 10, 1913, page 23.
Drums and Fifes That Led Brave Men in Many Wars Today Are Played in Reno.
When the familiar strains of ‘Marching Through Georgia’ or some other patriotic air is heard from fifes and drums on the streets these days, Renoites feel an almost irresistible desire to march. Some say it is the sight of 12 old veterans parading proudly along, others that it is the mere music that moves them. Perhaps it is a combination of the two. Whatever it is, some of the instruments used by these old soldiers have interesting histories. Some of the drums and fifes have gone through some of the most cruel and stirring wars of history and have played the last bars of music heard by many brave men as they lay on the field of battle giving up their life’s blood for their county.
The dozen old soldiers who walk so proudly through Reno’s streets this week have known what it means to lead furious charges against a stubborn enemy. All have honorable records of brave deeds done. There are 24 members in the original Los Angeles Fife and Drum corps, but the 12 seen here this week are all that were able to make the trip over the mountains to the Nevada metropolis.
The roll of honor of these here includes the names of Fifers John S Vennum, 71 years old, I Culbertson, 73, J A Barrows, 83, Noyes G Ward, 67, and W E Townsend, 68, and Drummers J S Wilson, 67, the youngest man in the corps, Robert Bain, 71, Philo L Case, 74, S H Hazeldine, 68, M L Spotswood, 69, Ben P Hilliker, 70, and A M Thornburg, 73.
Just 50 years ago today, Drummer Hillier was wounded at the siege of Vicksburg, receiving a bullet in the head while a drummer in Company A, Eighth Wisconsin infantry, known as the ‘live eagle’ regiment because it was the only one carrying a live eagle throughout the siege. Some time after he received a medal of valor during that action, the medal being awarded him by congress. Drummer Hilliker does not wear the medal for it is one of his most prized possessions. It is kept under lock and key at all times except when it is taken out once and a while to be shown to some one.
Drummer Wilson, who is leader of the corps, is also a man with a history. He was wounded in three different engagements in the civil war, those of Shiloh, Corinth, and Clarendon. He was taken prisoner at the engagement of Shiloh but escaped eight days later.
The fife which is seen in the hands of fifer Culbertson is the same one which saw service with him through the Atlanta campaign and on Sherman’s famous march to the sea.
The drum which Drummer Bain beats so proudly these days probably is a greater historical interest than any other drum in existence. And it is very likely it is the oldest. The drum was captured by Bain’s great-grandfather from the Hessians under Burgoyne at Bemis Heights, October 17, 1777. Bain’s grandfather then carried it through the Mexican war under General Scott. Bain’s father used it for five years in the New York militia before the organization of the present regiments and in Bain’s hands the drum saw service throughout the civil war.
Drummer Case, who served in the war with Company D, Second Iowa infantry, beat the long roll at Shiloh on that memorable Sunday morning in April , on the same drum which today helps to stir up the enthusiasm and patriotism of Renoites and visitors.
It is a singular fact that not one of the 12 members of the Fife and Drum corps has even been in Reno before this time.
